A six-year-old female elephant was rescued dramatically when she fell 30ft into a dried-up farm well in Southern India.
Heart stopping footage shows the distressed animal trying and failing to get a foothold to climb out of the parched well, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Rescuers in Southern India battled to save a stricken six-year-old elephant who had fallen into a dry well after getting separated from her herd of 40
It is thought that the elephant received a shock from a low hanging electrical wire and tumbled into the baron well, injuring herself in the process
As the herd returned to the forest the juvenile female slipped into the deep well and was unable to climb out.
The alarmed herd remained nearby as the female elephant called out for help but eventually moved off when they couldn’t find her.
The stricken elephant was injured in the fall which may have been caused from an electric shock delivered from a low hanging wire in the village.
Volunteers joined the effort and spent hours pouring water over the elephant to prevent it from overheating and become dehydrated
Eventually high powered machinery was contracted in to allow the well to be dug out. The machines built a slope for the animal to walk out of
Wildlife officials and volunteers came forward to rescue the frightened animal.
The video clip shows villagers pouring water over its head to stop it from overheating and becoming dehydrated.
A district forest official praised the efforts of the rescue team. He said: ‘All our team efforts saved the gentle giant’s life. I am glad that we could rescue the elephant successfully without any injures’
The animal was rescued safely once the mouth of the well was widened allowing her to walk out unharmed. She later rejoined her herd